What Is the Difference Between an Obstetrician and Gynecologist?

Many people wonder what the difference is between an obstetrician and a gynecologist.  While these areas of medicine are similar in some ways, they are also very different in many ways.  Both types of medicine focus on female patients and the female anatomy.  Besides this fact, an obstetrician and a gynecologist differ greatly in their practices. 

What is an Obstetrician?

An obstetrician cares for a woman from the time she becomes pregnant until the time she delivers her child.  Obstetricians are utilized in the most during difficult, or high-risk, pregnancies.  They are responsible for not only monitoring the health of the mother during a pregnancy, but also the health of the developing baby.  They are responsible for detecting and diagnosing any abnormalities of the developing fetus.  Obstetricians develop birth plans for the mother and child, and conduct ultra-sounds on the mother and fetus.  They are also present during labor, aiding in the delivery of the child.  An obstetrician may also order the patient to come in for several follow-up visits after the child is born.  At these follow-up visits, the obstetrician makes sure the mother is in good health and did not develop any health problems as a result of the pregnancy.

What is a Gynecologist?

A gynecologist is responsible for monitoring the health of a female's entire reproductive system.  Gynecologists care for women of all ages, whether they are pregnant or not.  The duties of a gynecologist include performing pap-smears, pelvic exams and ultrasounds of the female organs.  These exams are used to help catch any development of cancer of the female organs, including ovarian cancer, and to detect any abnormalities that may cause problems for the woman in the future.  Gynecologists also prescribe birth-control pills to those who seek it, and help diagnose and treat sexually transmitted diseases.  Gynecologists also diagnose and help patients to find solutions to problems such as infertility, incontinence and vaginal infections.